Spinal is the undead, reanimated skeleton of a pirate fighter and a signature character of the Killer Instinct franchise. He is an unreliable and, somewhat, ineffective soldier of Ultratech who is falling into insanity. In the rebooted universe, he is an ancient bandit bound to the Mask of the Ancients.

Contents

Biography

Appearance

In Killer Instinct (1994), Spinal was a simple skeleton wielding a curved cutlass and buckler shield, spiked gauntlets on his arms, a red bandanna around his skull and hooped earrings dangling from the spots where his ears should be. He has two, glowing, red orbs for eyes.

In Killer Instinct 2/Gold, the ancient Spinal is virtually identical to the one in the future, though he wears a spiked belt and metallic kilt around his waist as well as the previous items.

In Killer Instinct (2013), Spinal receives a large overhaul to his appearance, accenting the pirate theme of the character. He retains his red bandanna, and now wears scraps of clothing, such as a kilt and gauntlets, while having several ropes wrapped around his body to hold the broken steering wheel of a pirate ship around his back in place, buckled boots on both his feet and a large belt around his waist. He retains his cutlass but has traded his buckler shield in for a larger, seemingly-living, magical shield with the face and tentacles of a kraken adorned on the front, with glowing green runes etched on the sides of it. Initially his eyes were green, but fan outcry caused them to be changed to their traditional red hue.

Spinal's retro costume mirrors his original KI1 appearance, though his curved cutlass and his buckle shield has a different design.

Personality

“

An undead pirate with an appetite for mischief, Spinal is often found between the Devil and the deep blue sea.

„

— Spinal's story mode description

Spinal is a complete maniac, having been driven insane by the wild pull of the Mask of the Ancients over the hundreds (or thousands) of years since his death. He cackles with glee in the midst of battle, enjoying combat to a disturbing extent. He no longer speaks and has a very one-track mind, always pursuing his prized Mask so that he may be granted great powers and freedom. Upon finally locating the artifact and finding it drained of its powers, however, he flies into a rage and begins a global crusade to find the culprit.

Powers & Abilities

Spinal is a skilled swordsman, seeming to have retained his finesse with a sword & shield from his past life. While he does wield weaponry, he also possesses strange, magic abilities, such as teleportation and manipulation of ghostly skulls and arms. He can also absorb projectiles into his shield, then convert them into his own fiery attacks.

Killer Instinct

Spinal in KI1

Story

Spinal's origin is a closely guarded secret of Ultratech. A secret branch of the corporation, using a variety of special techniques, have succeeded in reviving an ancient warrior.
With only the vaguest memories of his past life, Spinal knows how to do only one thing: fight!

Extended

A legendary warrior over 2000 years ago, the thing now known as Spinal has been torn from the peace of death by Ultratech's cell regeneration experiments. Trapped in the new world, he has no choice but to obey orders despite his reluctance, and to make things worse, he begins to suffer tormenting flashbacks to the ancient life he can never quite remember. After the awe and wonder he inspired when first unveiled to the public this year, Spinal finds himself in the shadow of Ultratech's latest creations (Fulgore, Riptor, etc.) and, filled with resentment, he sets out to prove his worth.

Ending

Tired of constantly being surrounded by death and destruction, Spinal decides on a career break. Although nominated for an Oscar for his first film, Spinal still has great difficulty finding roles that have meat to them.

Killer Instinct 2

Story

Although destroyed by Thunder in the present, a younger Spinal still exists in the past. Resurrected by Gargos and forced to serve him, he goes up against the tyrant to win his freedom.

Extended Story

He may have been destroyed by Thunder in the present, but back in the past Spinal is still undead and kicking thanks to the necromantic powers of Gargos which have torn him from the grave. A savage warrior and faithful right-hand man to the Warlord in life, Spinal remains a formidable opponent – but now bears a terrible grudge against the being who would deny him the peace of eternal sleep. Filled with resentment, he fights to avenge himself and hopefully, as a result, return to his well-earned rest.

Endings

Kill Kim Wu

Freed of the chains of slavery, Spinal relishes his freedom.
Unable to recover the artifact that summoned him, Spinal
contemplates his future. Consultation with his ancestors
offers Spinal no guidance. Sadly, he resigns himself to an
eternity alone and without purpose.

Don't Kill Kim Wu

Freed of the chains of slavery, Spinal relishes his freedom.
Unable to recover the artifact that summoned him, Spinal
contemplates his future. Lost, he goes to consult with his
ancestors. During the ceremony, he learns one important
lesson: never leave your enemies alive.

Killer Instinct (2013)

Spinal was revealed on Halloween 2013 at the end of Orchid's trailer, and was set to be available in January 2014 in the launch trailer.

Story

Awakened after centuries, and under the control of an ancient artifact, Spinal’s sole quest is to find the Mask of the Ancients. The relic was used to give him life and bind him to this world. Spinal’s hope is that once it is in his possession, it will grant him freedom.

Extended Story

Moveset

Skull Mechanic: Spinal gains up to 5 skulls that hover above him by hitting his opponents with some variations of Searing Skull, throws, Spectral Manuals, or by absorbing attacks with Power Devour. These skulls can then be applied onto certain attacks to change their properties. Spinal can also use these skulls as projectiles that curse his opponent and steal their Instinct Meter or Shadow Meter while the curse is active. These curses can stack and Spinal can drain meter faster with extra stacks. If he gets hit while there is a curse active, it is removed.

Instinct Mode- Agent of Chaos: Summons three skulls upon activation, and gathering skulls from attacks nets you twice as many as before. When the special move Spectral Skull is used, the projectiles do not disappear on block and continue to bounce around the stage until they land a hit or a fifth projectile is created. Spinal can also Power Devour his own projectiles in order to recycle skull stocks.

Combo Trait - Spectral Manuals: Spinal can follow up a double with a manual, shown as 1-2 green skeleton arms punching from the ground, by pressing the same strength as the double. Each spectral manual that hits generates a skull stock.

Other Attributes: Spinal's forward dash is a run instead of a dash.

Command Attacks

Dive Kick: (air MK) Spinal cancels his aerial motion into a fixed-angle divekick at his opponent. Ground-bounces on hit.

Power Devour: (hold back + LP) Spinal holds his shield out in a defensive stance that absorbs any special or shadow attack that hits it. Gains one skull stock per attack absorbed.

Shield Crush: (back + HP) Standing overhead attack.

Bone Runner: (dash forward and hold forward) Spinal has a sustained run instead of a forward dash.

Throw Forward: (neutral/forward LP + LK) Spinal summons a spectral skeletal arm from the ground to grab his opponent, drains a skull stock out of them, then throws them to the ground.

Throw Backward: (back + LP + LK) Spinal summons a spectral skeletal arm from the ground to grab his opponent, drains a skull stock out of them, then throws them to the ground behind him.

Special Moves

Searing Skull with Skull: (QCF + Punch): Spinal fires a blue skull projectile that curses the opponent's Shadow meter on hit. QCF+LP travels horizontally and hits low, QCF+MP travels horizontally and hits mid, and QCF+HP travels vertically up off the screen from Spinal and comes down on the opponent's last location at time of firing, hitting high. Consumes one skull stock on use.

Soul Sword with Skull: (QCB + HP): Spinal swings his sword upwards twice, launching his opponent on the first hit and juggle-launching them on the second. Consumes one skull stock.

Skeleport: (QCB + Kick): Spinal sinks into the ground and rises at a different point on the stage depending on the strength of kick: LK puts Spinal in front of his opponent a short distance away, at the edge of LK Boneshaker's range. MK puts spinal directly in front of his opponent, within throw range. HK puts Spinal directly behind his opponent, within throw range.

Skeleport with Skull (QCB + HK): Spinal sinks into the ground and rises directly behind his opponent. He can cancel his rising animation into a special or shadow move at the cost of one skull stock. He doesn't consume any skulls if he doesn't cancel the Skeleport animation.

Stage

Similar to the Ship stage (KI2)): The shores of sorrow were to be the final resting place of countless vessels that were victims to Spinal and his pursuit across seven seas to regain of some artifact of power. The Shipwreck Cove is a graveyard of souls and broken hulls that have accumulated over the years and its new home of creatures and kraken of the waves.

During an Ultra Combo, a kraken's tentacles will grab the wrecked ship in the background, then smash it in half, and drags it into the depths of the wasted ocean.

Trivia: During the slow music due to characters not moving, his remixed classic theme, "Ya Ha Haa" will play.

Endings

Spare Sabrewulf, ULTRA Fulgore:

Though Sabrewulf manages to escape, Spinal succeeds in recovering the Mask of the Ancients. Returning to his ancient lair, Spinal destroys the mask, freeing his soul forever. Peace washes over Spinal, and he joins his ghostly crew, vanishing with the outgoing tide.

Spare Fulgore, ULTRA Sabrewulf:

Spinal defeats Sabrewulf, only to discover control of his body is no longer his own. He struggles to break free, but is powerless against an unseen force, a chilling voice gloats, "An immortal warrior? I do believe I'll have a good use for you..."

ULTRA Both Sabrewulf and Fulgore:

Triumphant against all who stood in his way of his quest for freedom, Spinal's prize is finally within reach. Savoring his victories, eternal rest had lost much of its appeal. Spinal decides there will be enough time for peace--for now, wanderlust, adventure, and freedom are enough.